Download of the Day 2/22: "Someone Like You" by Adele

Adele rips your heart out in
"Someone Like You",
from her new album

While it spends a fifth week atop of the UK chart, Adele's sophomore set 21 finally sees it's stateside release. Her lead single "Rolling in the Deep" set some pretty steep expectations for the Grammy-winning singer, but it seems that she is matching them pretty easily.

I haven't heard the full album yet (trust me, I'm on it), but, besides the first single, there is one song that has me completely hooked.

I first heard "Someone Like You" when she performed the song live at last week's BRIT Awards and proceeded to keep Gaga's "Born This Way" from hitting #1. From the second I clicked play on the Youtube video to the second it stopped, I was absolutely mesmerized by her performance. It was even that fact that she broke down into tears at the end, although that definitely killed me. She really proved, quite effortlessly, with her performance that all you really need sometimes is the right music and the voice.

While there was something magical going on with her performance, the album version of the song sounds just as powerful and impact as it does live. You can still feel the tugs at your heart as Adele hits those wailing high notes in the chorus. The simple elegance of the melody still makes you grab for your Kleenex. You still think, after listening to the full song, that Adele is our generation's answer to Whitney or Aretha. I'm firmly convinced that Adele could sing just about anything, even the most mindless dirge being pumped out of the pop machine, and turn it into absolute gold.

It excites me to see Adele's album #1 on iTunes as I type this, but for those still hesitant to click that $9.99 price button, just preview the 90 seconds of this song and prep your wallets. I have a feeling it might be a bit lighter after hearing "Someone Like You" for the first time.

Rating: 10 out of 10